Wire dispenser

ABSTRACT

A wire dispenser includes a plurality of fixed spindles, each spindle including a central hub and means for nesting the hubs of at least two of the spindles. Wire on each spindle is fed across the outer periphery thereof and in a direction substantially axial with the hubs.

United States Patent 1 1 [111 3,902,679

Bust Sept. 2, 1975 [54] WIRE DISPENSER 2,620,997 12/1952 Lyon 242/128 2,895,69] 7/1959 Toler 242/85 [76] inventor: l f B05, BOX 1851 3,275,263 9/1966 Parkinson... 242/129 Tltusvllle 32780 3,819,847 6/1974 Charles 174/37 [22] Filed: Jan. 7, 1974 Primary Examiner-Leonard D. Christian PP 431,218 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Duckworth, Hobby & Allen 52 us. Cl 242/129; 242 125.1 1 1 ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl B65h 49/00; B65h 75/28 A wire dispenser includes a plurality of fixed spindles, [58] Field of Search 242/85, 125.1, 125.2, 128, each spindle including a central hub and means for 242/129; 174/37 nesting the hubs of at least two of the spindles. Wire on each spindle is fed across the outer periphery [56] References Cited thereof and in a direction substantially axial with the UNITED STATES PATENTS hubs 2,566,801 9/1951 Jackson et a1. 242/128 8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to wire dispensers, and in particular, relates to dispensers which are designed to allow the simultaneous dispensing of a plurality of wires from individual wire spindles.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the electrical construction trade, electricians are frequently required to simultaneously run several wires at a time through a length of conduit. Generally, these wires are coiled inside a cardboard container having a central opening through which the wires may be drawn. However, the simultaneous running of several wires makes dispensing from these containers cumbersome, especially in the construction of large commercial buildings where it may be required to run a large number of wires at one time.

There have been suggestions in the prior art for dispensers from which several wires may be simultaneously drawn. In U.S. Pat. No. 2,620,997, Lyon discloses a modification of the cardboard containers like that described above, in which a spaced hub is employed to provide a guide for a number of vertically stacked wire containers.

Putnam, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,212,729, teaches a container having a rotatable spindle for feeding the wire out of the side of the container. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,275,263, Parkinson discloses a plurality of stack spindles, each of which is independently rotatable for feeding off the wire thereon. Multiple parallel spindle arrangements are also taught in the following U.S. Pat. Nos: 3,178,129 to Parkinson; 3,304,025 to Zerg et al.; and 3,485,458 to Evans.

Multiple spindle apparatus have also been employed for other purposes. Armstrong, in U.S. Pat. No. 1,3 13,1 56 discloses a safe saving device, in which a security line is serially wound on a plurality of spindles. There have also been suggestions for spinning fishing reels employing a plurality of serially wound bobbins, or spindles; see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,535,746.

Other prior art of interest includes the following U.S. Pat. Nos: 187,271; 2,186,928; 3,041,006; 2,985,404; and 3,038,117.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates wire dispensing apparatus comprising a plurality of fixed spindles, each spindle including a central hub and means for nesting the hub of at least one of the spindles within the hub of another of the spindles. Means are also included for feeding wire on each spindle across the outer periphery thereof and in a direction substantially axial with the hubs.

In one specific embodiment, the dispensing apparatus includes a frame about the spindles, with a wire feed ring supported by the frame axial with the hubs, such that the wire may be pulled through the ring, and thereafter in any desired direction.

THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of wire dispensing apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross section of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partially cut away, of a portion of the apparatus in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of apparatus according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION An embodiment of wire dispensing apparatus in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

Noting FIG. 1, the wire dispenser, referred to generally as 10, includes a plurality of fixed spindles 14. Each spindle 14 is defined by a circular disc 16 with a hollow, centrally disposed hub 18 extending from each disc (note FIG. 2)

Preferably, the spindles 14 are disposed on a support member 12 having a fixed hub 11 and wheels 13 thereon. The dispenser 10 further includes upright frame members 20 mounted on the support member 12 about the stack of spindles 14. The frame members 20 support a wire feed ring 22 disposed axial with the hubs l8 and positioned above the stack of spindles 14.

In use, a plurality of wire coils 24, 26 and 28 are stacked on respective ones of the spindles 14 in the stack. The spindles 14 are then nested together in a manner hereinafter described. The operator then draws the ends of the wires of coils 24, 26 and 28 through the wire feed ring 22 and into the conduit 30. Thereafter, the wires are fed through the conduit and are automatically drawn off the respective spindles 14. As is shown in FIG. 2, the disc 16 of each spindle 14 has a gradual upward bend toward the outer periphery thereof, so as to facilitate the feeding of the wire on the next adjacent spindle 14 in a direction substantially axial with the hubs 18. As shown in FIG. 1, each spindle 14 includes a fastener 32 along the inner edge 31 of the periphery in order to fasten the end of each coil 24, 26 and 28 when wire is not being drawn off the corresponding wire coil.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, means are included for nesting the hub 18 of one of the spindles 14 with the hub of another of the spindles. As shown in FIG. 3, this nesting means comprises, in this example, a plurality of male extensions about the periphery of each hub with a plurality of corresponding female apertures 36 about the inner periphery of each hub adapted to mate with the corresponding male extension 34 of the next adjacent hub. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a variety of nesting and locking means may be employed.

Another embodiment of a wire dispenser in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 4. In this example, a plurality of fixed spindles 14 are included each having a central hub 18 with male nesting and locking means similar to that described above in FIG. 3. A handle 38 is also provided, having a base 40 including corresponding female apertures so as to mate with the hub 18 and thereby provide a lifting handle for the composite dispenser. An alternate supporting means in the form of a tripod 42 is likewise shown in FIG. 4.

Wire dispensing apparatus like that shown above has several advantages. For example, the spindles are not required to rotate and therefore are not subject to friction wear. Further, fixed spindle arrangements are not subject to backlash, and therefore time consuming rewinding of each spindle after use is avoided. In addition, a large number of wire coils may be fed from a single or plural stack arrangement, as is required in the heavy electrical construction trade.

I claim:

1. Wire dispensing apparatus comprising:

a plurality of fixed spindles, each spindle including a central hub; v means for nesting the hub of at least one of said spindles within the hub of another of said spindles; and means for guiding wire on each said spindle across the outer periphery of an adjacent spindle in a direction substantially axial with said hubs.

2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said read guiding means further comprises means for simultaneous read guiding wire from each said spindle.

3. Apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein each said spindle is defined by a circular disc having an upward curve at the periphery thereof, with said hub extending from the center thereof.

4. Apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said nesting means comprises:

at least one male extension about each hub; and

a female aperture about each hub and adapted to mate with the corresponding male extension ofa next adjacent hub.

5. Apparatus as recited in claim 4 further comprising: a handle member having one of said male extensions and said female aperture; and wherein said handle member is adapted to mate with said hub of one of said spindles.

6. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising wire gripping means on the periphery of each said spindle.

7. Apparatus as recited in claim] further comprising a support member with said spindles thereon.

8. Apparatus as recited in claim 7 further comprising: a frame fixed to said supporting member and about said spindles; and a wire feed ring supported by said frame, said ring disposed axial with said hubs. 

1. Wire dispensing apparatus comprising: a plurality of fixed spindles, each spindle including a central hub; means for nesting the hub of at least one of said spindles within the hub of another of said spindles; and means for guiding wire on each said spindle across the outer periphery of an adjacent spindle in a direction substantially axial with said hubs.
 2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said read guiding means further comprises means for simultaneous read guiding wire from each said spindle.
 3. Apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein eaCh said spindle is defined by a circular disc having an upward curve at the periphery thereof, with said hub extending from the center thereof.
 4. Apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said nesting means comprises: at least one male extension about each hub; and a female aperture about each hub and adapted to mate with the corresponding male extension of a next adjacent hub.
 5. Apparatus as recited in claim 4 further comprising: a handle member having one of said male extensions and said female aperture; and wherein said handle member is adapted to mate with said hub of one of said spindles.
 6. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising wire gripping means on the periphery of each said spindle.
 7. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising a support member with said spindles thereon.
 8. Apparatus as recited in claim 7 further comprising: a frame fixed to said supporting member and about said spindles; and a wire feed ring supported by said frame, said ring disposed axial with said hubs. 